Depression in old age gets better with social networks
Old age is romanticized as the period for reflecting back on life, to bask in the achievements of youth and to spend time with grandchildren, as one tells them stories while sitting on the porch. However, the reality is mostly not so, as aged adults find themselves living alone or in old-age homes. Those staying alone are not able to socialize as mobility becomes a problem and some are not able to connect with the new company or adjust in new surroundings in old-age homes. The distance from people or social gatherings and lack of interest in socializing by older adults greatly affect their physical and mental health. The inability to connect with people or lack of opportunities to do so can result in feelings of loneliness, sadness, anxiety and depression. Read more